Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

3. First Impressions

The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains when my alarm jolted me awake. Today was the day I'd finally meet the Arctic Monkeys. They had requested a casual meeting at a local pub, nothing fancy—just a chance to get to know each other before the tour officially kicked off. I felt a knot of nervous anticipation tighten in my stomach as I got out of bed.

I spent the morning reviewing my notes and refining my list of questions. Despite the casual setting, I wanted to make a good impression and come prepared. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, I decided to take a walk to clear my head. The streets of New York were already bustling with activity, the energy of the city a perfect distraction from my nerves.

As I wandered through the city, I stumbled upon a small, charming record store tucked away on a quiet side street. The sign above the door read "Vinyl Dreams," and I felt an irresistible pull to step inside.

The scent of old records and polished wood greeted me as I entered, the soft hum of classic rock playing in the background. Rows of vinyl albums stretched out before me, a treasure trove of music history. I meandered through the aisles, flipping through records and appreciating the album art.

Eventually, I found myself in the section marked "Alternative Rock." My fingers brushed against familiar names—The Strokes, Radiohead, The White Stripes—until they landed on a row of Arctic Monkeys albums. I pulled out their latest, Suck It and See, and studied the cover. The minimalist design, with its simple white background and understated font, seemed to echo the band's confidence.

I knew their music well enough, but something about seeing the physical album made me feel a deeper connection. I decided to buy it, feeling that having the record would be a good way to immerse myself in their latest work.

I brought the album to the counter, where the cashier, a friendly-looking guy with a bushy beard, rang me up. "Good choice," he said, nodding at the record. "This one's a classic."

"I hope so," I replied, smiling. "I'm actually meeting the band tonight."

His eyebrows shot up. "No way! That's awesome. Well, have a great time."

With the record safely tucked under my arm, I left the store feeling a bit lighter. The simple act of buying music, of holding a physical album, grounded me in a way that I hadn't expected.

Back at the hotel, I spent the afternoon listening to Suck It and See on my portable record player. I let the music wash over me, paying close attention to the lyrics, the instrumentation, the mood. It was a great album—confident, experimental, and yet undeniably Arctic Monkeys. I felt a surge of excitement at the thought of experiencing these songs live, of seeing the band perform them in front of an audience.

As evening approached, I changed into something casual but stylish—a pair of dark jeans, a fitted black top, and a leather jacket. I wanted to look approachable but professional. With one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my notebook and headed out.

The pub was a cozy, unpretentious spot in Brooklyn, with warm lighting and a laid-back atmosphere. I arrived a bit early and found a table in the corner, ordering a drink to calm my nerves. The place was filling up, but it had an intimate feel, perfect for a first meeting.

Not long after, the door opened, and I saw them—Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley, and Matt Helders. They all looked effortlessly cool, but my eyes were immediately drawn to Alex. He walked in like he owned the place, exuding an air of self-assuredness that bordered on arrogance. His jeans and black shirt were topped off with a leather jacket, and his hair was styled in a 50s-looking quiff.

While Jamie, Nick, and Matt approached me with enthusiastic smiles, Alex hung back, surveying the room with a detached expression. The others greeted me warmly, shaking hands and introducing themselves, their energy contagious.